Peacefully located in the South Downs National Park, Itchen Valley Studio is a 2-bed retreat for lovers of design and nature. It has everything for the perfect weekend away, with stunning walks on the doorstep, a country pub and a farm shop. It’s around 2 hours from London, less than an hour from Heathrow, and 15 mins from the cathedral city of Winchester. The space is furnished with a refined collection of modern furniture and art, and a library of books on design, architecture and fashion.
The space
Itchen Valley Studio is a self-contained timber-framed annexe, built on the side of a Victorian manor house in Hampshire. It has its own entrance, gated parking, and southwest-facing courtyard.
The Studio is quietly located on a private road on the outskirts of a village, less than two miles from the gorgeous Georgian market town of Alresford.
ART & DESIGN
The space is furnished with pieces by contemporary designers such as Faye Toogood, Max Lamb and Malgorzata Bany, modernist ‘Medea’ chairs by Vittorio Nobili, a Jean Prouvé ‘Potence’ wall light, and a Dieter Rams shelving system from Vitsoe. The art collection includes works by Barbara Hepworth and Roger Hilton. The curtains are made from raw artist canvas and ticking by Christopher Howe.
LOCATION
There are beautiful walking trails through the Itchen Valley, with its sparklingly clear chalk-stream river, and the area is very popular with cyclists. Nearby Alresford is a thriving place with a remarkably well-preserved Georgian high street. It has butchers, delis, cafés, pubs and one of the best restaurants in the region, where steaks and seafood are cooked over an open fire. Just fifteen minutes away is the cathedral city of Winchester, which was once the capital of England under King Alfred the Great. Hampshire is renowned as the home of Jane Austen, and her house at Chawton is less than twenty minutes away. The South Downs National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, making it one of the best locations for stargazing. Nature is abundant in the area, and it’s common to hear barn owls in the trees and see hares boxing in the fields.
ACTIVITIES
Guests are given access to a House Book filled with ideas about what to do and where to eat. There are some great pubs nearby, one of which is a short walk away along a stunning river path. The South Downs National Park is on the doorstep, offering endless opportunities for walks, runs and bike rides. There are local vineyards for wine tasting, some of the world’s best chalk streams and lakes for fly fishing, and a picturesque nine-hole golf course. The area has numerous National Trust houses, museums and gardens, including Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed. The New Forest is within easy reach for a day trip, as are the sandy beaches of the south coast.
Guest access
Itchen Valley Studio has two double bedrooms, both with en-suites.
The living room is a wonderfully bright space with vaulted double-height ceiling, two sets of French doors opening to the courtyard garden, library of books along one wall, 3m-long table for eating and working, wood-burning stove, sofa and upholstered chairs.
The kitchen is a modern space containing a breakfast table with four stools, electric oven and induction hob, dishwasher, washing machine, under-counter fridge with freezer compartment, kettle and toaster.
The master bedroom is a generously sized room with double bed, sofa, coffee table, cupboard, hanging rail and sisal carpet. The en-suite bathroom has a bath, heated towel rail and brass sanitaryware.
The second bedroom is located off the kitchen, and has a double bed, chest of drawers, hanging rail and sisal carpet. The en-suite shower room has a shower, heated towel rail and brass sanitaryware.
There is a gated, private driveway with off-street parking space for two cars.
The sunny southwest-facing gravelled courtyard has a round metal table and chairs for outdoor dining.
Other things to note
The Studio is attached to our manor house. It has its own entrance and parking area, so offers complete privacy, but you may be aware of occasional comings and goings outside.
Although we’re big dog lovers (and have one ourselves), unfortunately we can’t accommodate pets at the Studio due to the nature of the furniture.
The private road leading up to the Studio is unmade, so it can be bumpy.
We don’t have a charging point for electric vehicles.
Thank you. We really look forward to hosting you.
